TheChek News Flow

Co issues downside guidance for Q2 (Jun), sees EPS of $0.95-1.05 vs. $1.11 Capital IQ Consensus Estimate.

Co issues downside guidance for FY14 (Dec), lowers EPS to $4.10-4.30 from $4.35-4.55 vs. $4.44 Capital IQ Consensus.

• The co previously reported that the prolonged cold weather in North America had delayed first quarter sales. When providing previous guidance, the co expected these weather conditions to abate and for a recovery of these sales to occur in the remaining quarters of 2014. However, the weather conditions persisted later into Q2 than expected leading to reduced application of pre-emergent products. Although sales of Authority brand soybean pre-emergent herbicides increased as expected, the increase was not enough to offset lower than expected sales of other products, particularly Capture LFR corn insecticide.
• In addition, the co reported that drought conditions in the Sao Paulo state of Brazil were delaying sales into the sugarcane segment. The co did not expect this drought to continue through Q2. These extended poor growing conditions have resulted in growers reducing their use of crop protection products. Furthermore, growers have significantly reduced the rate at which they are replanting, which has reduced the use of herbicides and insecticides in the sugarcane segment. The co does not expect conditions to improve in sugarcane during the remainder of 2014.
• As a result of these factors, the co expects second quarter segment earnings for Agricultural Solutions to be up mid-single digits percent compared to the second quarter of 2013.
• For the full year 2014, revenues and operating earnings for the Agricultural Solutions segment are expected to increase by a mid-single digits percentage over 2013.
• The co reaffirms its previous guidance for the Health and Nutrition and the Minerals segments for both the second quarter and the full year 2014. Second quarter segment earnings for Health and Nutrition are expected to be up low-teens percent primarily due to higher volumes driven by end market demand. Full-year segment revenue is expected to be up mid- to high-teens percent driven by higher volumes in texture and stability solutions, natural colors and binder product lines and contributions from the omega-3 product line. Full-year segment earnings are expected to be up mid-teens percent due to strong demand for functional ingredients and benefits from new omega-3 sales.
• Second quarter segment earnings for the Minerals segment are expected to be up low-teens percent resulting from operating improvements in both the Soda Ash and Lithium businesses. Full-year segment revenue is expected to be up mid- to high-single digits percent driven primarily by increased volumes in lithium and soda ash and short- and long-term contracted price increases in soda ash. Full-year segment earnings are expected to be up high-teens percent, reflecting lithium margin improvements and more favorable contractual soda ash pricing versus 2013.